LOVING tributes have been paid to world's oldest paperboy Ted Ingram, who delivered the Dorset Echo.

Ted, 95, had delivered papers in Winterborne Monkton since 1942 and sadly passed away earlier this week. (Monday October 19)

He retired in 2013 after more than 70 years after being recognised by the Guiness Book of World Records as the world's oldest paper boy.

Ted moved to Winterborne Monkton in 1938 and lived there until moving to Maiden Castle House in Dorchester last year.

His daughter, Angie Matthews, has paid tribute to a man who ‘loved life’.

She said: “Everybody loved him and he never let anything get him down.

“He was so loveable, just a great character really.”

Ted was well known in the local community and often stopped to talk to people.

Angie said: “Whenever he was in Tesco everyone would speak to him because he was quite famous really.”

Ted first started his round to earn a bit of extra money to supplement his income as a tractor driver on Manor Farm.

He delivered eight papers a day, starting at 6.30am, as it gave him an excuse to visit friends and family every day.

Ted regularly enjoyed trips in to Dorchester to see his friends.

Angie said: “He did like to go in to town on the bus. He would go to see my aunty who was in a care home in Dorchester.

“Everyone at the hospital knew him when he had lunch there.

“He loved people, he enjoyed their company, he just loved to chat.

“In his earlier days he loved gardening. He just loved life.

“He had a good life.”

Angie wanted to thank staff at Maiden Castle House care home that looked after him.

Ted had two children, four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and was married to Betty.

He gave up riding his bike for deliveries after a hip replacement but got round the village using his Peugeot 106 instead after that.

When he retired in 2013 he was honoured with a special front page of the Dorset Echo.

Dorset Echo editor Diarmuid Macdonagh said: "It was with great sadness that we learned of Ted Ingram’s passing.

Ted was an inspirational figure in the local community and took great pride in delivering the Dorset Echo to villagers whatever the weather or whatever the personal inconvenience.

“As well as setting records he also set the benchmark for service in the community which more of us should aspire to.”

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced but Angie said that she was sure the church in Winterborne Monkton would be full when he is buried with Betty.